Real-time audio and video broadcasting of IEEE GLOBECOM ´96 over the Internet using new software

This article describes the experience of the authors transmitting real-time audio and video of IEEE Global Internet ´96, a mini-conference at IEEE GLOBECOM ´96 over the Internet with new software called “SoftwareVision.” SoftwareVision (http://www.hil.ntt.jp/Softwarevision) was used in parallel with the Mbone for this first experiment of the IEEE Communications Society. The main reason for this was to cover not only users at universities and laboratories (Mbone users) but also those at enterprises and homes (even dial-up users). Since the number of users who could access the Mbone were limited, SoftwareVision provided other users with the opportunity to participate in this exciting event. The event was broadcast all over the world, so some users, particularly those on the opposite side of the world, stayed at home (till very late at night) and could see and hear the conference by dial-up connections. The quality of the video was satisfactory enough for them to listen to what the speakers said and see the slides of the overhead projections. The accumulated number of users who accessed this two-day event was 353. This shows there is enough potential demand for remote participation in the conference. This broadcasting was initiated by the members of the IEICE (Institute of Electronics. Information, and Communications Engineers)